Principal Software Engineer

Tom Purcell

Austin, TX *****

www.linkedin.com/in/thomasapurcell

SUMMARY

I am a software engineer specializing in communications with customers to create well-defined requirements and communications with hardware devices to develop command & control software. My most recent experience includes software requirements, design, implementation, integration and test on a large, automated mine detection and neutralization system.

I hold a current security clearance.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

BAE Systems, Austin, TX 1998-2011

Principal Software Engineer (2007-2011)

• Wrote a program in Visual Basic.NET to monitor and display detected threats relative to a moving platform combining data received from an inertial navigation unit and a mine detection system

• Approved, verified and delivered software changes as Software Configuration Manager using Rational ClearCase and ClearQuest

• Responsible for development of tests, specification and creation of interface test sets and on-time delivery of software test plans and reports in the role of Software Test Manager

• Worked with a multi-discipline engineering team to integrate and test real-time embedded software (C++) and hardware components on a mine detection system

• Taught government scientists/engineers to operate and perform data collections with the mine detection system

• Peer reviewed software artifacts in collaboration with customer representatives

• Developed procedures as a member of a CMM Level III engineering organization

• Created a program in Visual Basic.NET which communicated with a Laser Detection System to monitor and display threats, providing engineers immediate feedback during development and testing, allowing for rapid anomaly response, eliminating significant wait times for post-processing of test results

• Guest lecturer at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Graduate School of Business on Software Test Methodologies in 2007

Senior Software Engineer (2003-2007)

• Developed an award-winning data visualization tool in JAVA used by the Algorithm Working Group consisting of members from industry, government and academia which saved the company an estimated $100K in its first year and is still in use

• Developed a single user interface in Visual Basic.NET used in over 30 programs to verify requirements in all subsystems of a $96M Mine Detection system saving hundreds of hours of development and providing automated and repeatable testing

• Assumed support and maintenance of an existing tool in Visual Basic used to communicate with a DoD chemical agent detector

• Created emulators in Visual Basic for 3 hardware components used in development and test of the U.S. Coast Guard communications and navigation modernization program

• Created an Electronics Warfare communications monitoring program in Visual Basic

Software Engineer IV (1998-2003)

• Designed and developed a suite of programs in Visual Basic to automate the downloading of data from multiple acoustic sensors, radars and weather sources

• Created a multi-process, multi-channel digital audio recorder in Visual Basic using telephony cards to record communication between air-traffic controllers and pilots

• Created a digital audio player in Visual Basic with advanced search capabilities allowing users to locate, playback, archive or email messages in seconds for incident investigation; replacing an outdated tape system which could take hours to accomplish the same tasks

Progressive System Technologies, Austin, TX 1994-1998

Project Manager/Project Engineer (1997-1998)

• Coordinated engineering development of automation solutions for semiconductor manufacturing process tools

• Worked with customers, management and engineers to set and maintain project schedules

• Supported Sales/Marketing on concept development and proposals

Software Engineer (1994-1997)

• Developed command and control programs in Visual Basic for a variety of semiconductor sorters and process tools

• Specialized in Assembly Language speed optimization of material handler robots

• Traveled to foreign and domestic clean room facilities to integrate robotic automation

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Languages: Visual Basic.NET (3.0 - 9.0), Java, C/C++, Robot Assembly Language, VBA, HTML, XML

Communications Protocols: RS232/485, Ethernet, SECS II, NMEA 0183

Recent Training: Object Oriented Methodology, Software Systems Engineering, Laser Safety, Ordnance Handling

EDUCATION

• Graduate Certificate Program, Software Systems Engineering, 2010–Present, University of New Hampshire

• Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, 1993, Texas State University

• President Epsilon Delta Pi CS/CIS Honor Society, 1992-93, Texas State

• Student Advisory Council to the Dean of the School of Business, 1992-93, Texas State

Contact this candidate